The United States government through their powerful US Navy will step up its sea patrols in the South China Sea to ensure freedom of navigations in one of the world’s busiest sea lanes. The US was worried by China’s military buildup to assert dominance in the South China Sea.
Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr., U.S. Navy Commander, U.S. Pacific
According to Admiral Harry Harris Jr., head of the US Navy’s Pacific Command, they will increase freedom-of-navigation operations in the South China Sea. He was quoted as saying “We will be doing them more, and we’ll be doing them with greater complexity in the future and … we’ll fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows,” Adm. Harry Harris Jr., told lawmakers during a meeting with the House of Representatives.
The comments of Admiral Harris coincides with a visit to Washington by Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Yi, he also noted that China was “changing the operational landscape” in the South China Sea by depoloying missile and radar as part of an effort to militarily dominates East Asia.
The Chinese government insists its military facilities in the South China Sea are “legal” and appropriate.” The Chinese Foreign Minister also denies the allegations thrown at them by some top US officials. In an apparent reference to US patorls in the South China Sea, Wang said Beijing hoped not to see more closeup reconnaissance, or the dispatch of missile destroyers or strategic bombers.
China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion in global trade p(–foul word(s) removed–) every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have rival claims.
